Colca Canyon Tours

The Colca Canyon is located in Arequipa city in south Peru in the heart of the Andes. Private tours to this Canyon are very popular because is considered as the second deepest canyon in the world. Trekking, adventure, rural or cultural tour will take you to discover the natural viewpoints of the Colca Canyon.

Best Colca Canyon Private and Group Tours

This is a popular Peru tourist destination for I’ts beautiful andean landscapes, condors flight, the impressive giant hummingbird, llamas, vicuñas and alpacas. Find the informations related to this natural wonder located in the Peru Andes, Perou Voyage offers escorted and organized tours from Arequipa, Chivay or Puno.

One of the main reasons that visitants travel to the City of Arequipa is to take a guided trip to the famous canyon (the second deepest canyon in the world), surpass by the Cotahuasi, also located in Peru.

The Colca is a must-see during your vacation in Peru, famous for epic andean views, great hiking, Condor spotting and hot springs.

Adventure, Cultural and Trekking

Departing from Arequipa, the journey to the Colca Valley begins with a drive northeast by Yura, towards the volcanoes Chachani and Misti.

After about 2 hours, the bus stop at Pampa Cañahuas for watching wild vicuñas and then at Patahuasi to enjoy a traditional coca tea.

The final stop at Patapampa overlook (4,910 meters) where you can watch the mounatins range and take photos of the andean landscape.

The private transport arrives to Chivay, where you can taste local lunch.

After lunch, embark on a short guided walk through Coporaque, Yanque or Canocota town or take rest for relaxing in the natural hot springs and end the day at your lodge.

From Arequipa or Puno

A journey to the Valley usually takes about 3 hours by tourist bus, across the high Andean plateau, reaching a high point of 4800 meters at the “Mirador de los Volcanes,” which offers fine views of several volcanoes that soar to more than 6,000 meters.

You can find different ways for discovering the Colca Canyon. The tour options offered depends on the kind of service: private or shared. The 2 two day/one night or three 3 day/two night trip visiting: National Reserves, south american camels, (lamas, alpacas, vicugnas) and natural viewpoints.

Trekking itineraries are specially designed for adventure travellers who want to go to the extra mile of the Colca Canyon.

The Trekking paths have been used since the pre-inca period and are still used today by the local population in 2, 3 or 4 days.

Why to visit It?

Because the Colca is the world’s second deepest canyon in the world, a smidgeon shallower than near neighbor, the Cotahuasi, and twice as deep as the more famous Grand Canyon in the United States. Colca is replete with history, culture, ruins, tradition and customs.

Geography

“Colca” is the name of the canyon, river, and valley located in Caylloma province at approximately 100 miles northwest of Arequipa City. The province border Cusco and Puno, two important regions in the southern Andes.

The average distance from the peaks of the mountains to the river is 3,109 meters. This fact makes It one of the world’s deepest canyons. However Cotahuasi Canyon is a few hundred meters deeper.

Weather

The weather is the typical of the Andes.

Dry Season

From May to November

Rainy Season

From January to March

Temperature

Daytime highs: 20°C (68°F)
Night average: 10°C (50°F)

During the day, temperatures vary with elevation. The lowest portions of the valley can get quite warm in the dry season, specially on hiking trails.

Altitude Sickness:

Here are some things you can do to prevent yourself from getting altitude sickness

Gradual acclimatization to altitude is important if you are traveling to high altitude areas Symptoms of “soroche” can include fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing and insomnia

The mountain sickness can progress to high altitude pulmonary edema or high altitude cerebral edema, both of which constitute life-threatening medical emergencies

Take time to rest much more than usual

Avoid alcohol and smoking and eat lightly

Make sure you are drinking enough water

Coca leaves (tea and chewing) are good for helping you to adapt to the altitude.

The best place to see condors in Peru

Peru’s Colca is not only the second-deepest canyon in the world, but also one of the best destinations in South America for watching Andean Condors.

This is easily accessed by car from the colonial ‘White City’ of Arequipa.

Most visitors book on a tour from Arequipa, a beautiful colonial city with churches built from a white volcanic material called sillar.

While traveling from Arequipa you pass the Aguada Blanca National Vicuña Reserve, where you can see herds of vicuñas.

Also, you will watch viscachas, a native rodent that looks like rabbits. Then we will find the Patapampa Pass and the Mirador de los Volcanes in-route to the Valley.

Chivay is the main village from where we can access to the two sides of the Canyon, and is where most tours spend the night.

Colca is fertile and inhabited valley with pre-Columbian terraces and traditional Andean villages.

The Collagua and Cabana peoples who lived here for at least 2000 years, built an ingenious terracing system on the valley.

The smoking Sabancaya Volcano looms at 5976 meters is one of the most active volcanoes in Peru, next to the Sabanacay volcano is the Ampato at 6288 meters, where was found the famous ‘Ice Mummy Juanita’.

The River Colca descends from 3500 meters in Chivay reaching 2200 meters at Cabanaconde, the small, last village in the canyon.

On road from Chivay to Cabanaconde is located The Mirador Cruz del Condor, the best location to spot the andean condor.

The Andean condor is a national symbol not only of Peru, but of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador, and plays an important role in the folklore the Andean regions.

Considered the animal of the spirit world according to Incan cosmology. Visitors will be able to see the birds fairly close.

Many people choose to experience on a two-day trek. Be prepared, this is for those who love trekking. However, less enthusiastic trekkers can always a mule ride or take a short trail for accesing to the Oasis in Sangalle.

It doesn’t matter the way you choose to experience It, here you will see some of the most beautiful andean scenery in the world.

How to visit?

The most popular way to visit is on a full-day tour or a 2-3-4 day hike, organised from Arequipa, Puno, Chivay or Cusco. The best way to get from Arequipa is booking a tour which includes pick up from the hotel in Arequipa.

Most Colca tours start in Arequipa city, but is possible to start in Puno, Cusco and Chivay.

The tours include transport, accommodation, food and a guide.

However, if you’re not a fan of organised day tours and you prefer to travel independently without a tour guide and a group of tourists, then here’s a nice and easy way for you to travel from Arequipa via the lovely town of Chivay!